Ch. 4

Got a Bloody Lot of Time

Giles shut the cash register and shut off the light on the desk of the Magic Box. He pulled his glasses off and rubbed his tired eyes. His mind was on his Slayer. Her first day as a part-time Magic Box employee had not gone well at all.

It seemed she was not cut out for retail. Giles was beginning to wonder what she was cut out for besides killing…and he couldn't help but feel that it was his fault.

It wasn't fair. The chosen one shouldn't have to worry about money and day jobs. Giles also knew that he couldn't keep babying her. She would never learn to be an adult until she was forced.

The Watcher sighed and fished in his pocket for his keys. He made his way toward the back door but stopped when he heard pages rustling in the loft, where he kept the contraband books.

He immediately scanned the shelves for a weapon. He settled for a ceremonial dagger that was just within reach. Giles held the intricate dagger close as he crept toward the loft. He took the ladder rung by rung.

When he pulled himself into the loft a loose board creaked beneath his feet. He cringed and the rustling noise stopped. The intruder heard him. Giles gave up his attempts to be stealthy.

"Show yourself." The Watcher called out.

"Relax Watcher, it's just me." A deeper English voice answered back.

"Spike?"

The vampire stepped out of the shadows, a heavy tome in his hands, "Yeah, you caught me."

Giles huffed, willing his nerves to relax. "What are you doing up here in the dark? Here to pilfer more Burba Weed? Yes, I know about that…" Giles noticed the book, "That's not for sale."

Spike rolled his eyes, "Wasn't gonna nick it. I was researching."

Giles ripped the book from the vampire's hands "What could you possibly need to find in—Resurrections—" Giles trailed off. They both knew what this book did…what it was responsible for. "Explain yourself before I put this dagger to use."

"I was researching the spell Willow used to bring Buffy back." Spike said simply. "Slayer's sick…been puking her guts out regular like for almost a week." Spike began an agitated pacing around the loft, "I mean what do we know about that spell? Can we be sure she came back with a clean bill of health?"

Giles face grew concerned. He truly hadn't considered those type of ramifications to Willows reckless spell. "You believe Buffy's apparent illness could be a side effect?"

"Well I don't know do I? S'why I was nosing about in your private library."

Giles turned and climbed back down the ladder with the spell book under his arm. "Well, I do appreciate your thoughts on this…but I'll take over research from here. We won't be needing anymore assistance from you."

Spike pursed his lips and stomped toward the door. "There's the stuffy English Prig I remember." Spike ripped the door open, "Just find out before she dies a second time." He slammed the door behind him.


Buffy propped herself up on a low headstone and swung her legs. Her first week back to regular slaying, and already patrol had been slow. Pent up energy and nothing to kill make Buffy a grumpy Slayer. At least she'd managed to keep her lunch down, that was something.

Nothing like vomiting on a vampire's shoes right before you jab a stake through his heart to bolster your dignity. Speaking of vampires…where was Spike? After she'd gotten sick at Brunch, she'd come back downstairs to find Spike absent and Xander wearing a smug smirk. There was a story there, one she'd have to remember to find out about tomorrow.

She heard scratching sounds behind her. Buffy's face lit up. A newly risen vampire…finally. She crouched down near the hand that was just clawing its way out of the earth and waited…

…And waited. Geez, could he maybe hurry it up? I mean, speaking from experience, it does not take that long to crawl out of a grave.

A head appeared attached to the vamp's upper body—a young man with a mop of brown hair and a troubled look in his eyes. He noticed the blonde woman crouched beside him.

"Morning Sunshine!" Buffy chirped. She thrust her stake forward and caught his heart. The vamp burst into a cloud of ash before he could even utter a word.

Buffy frowned. Well that was anti-climactic. She briefly thought of Anya's suggestion to start charging people for slaying as a way to pay her bills. Too bad vamp's weren't often buried with their wallets…she could always rob them before she killed them.

"Buggering bloody Watcher, thinks he knows everything…"

Buffy stood and brushed herself off when she heard the familiar baritone of Spike's voice coming toward her.

His ranting came to an end when he noticed Buffy. "Slayer? What are you doing out here Luv?"

Buffy planted her hands on her hips. "My job Spike. I'm the Slayer…remember?"

Spike tilted his head and quirked a dark brow, "Ha bloody ha. I meant, what are you doing out here in your condition?"

"My condition?" She bristled in offense.

"You're sick Buffy…or have you forgotten your recent trips to the loo?"

Buffy turned to walk away. "Not you too. I'm fine. It's probably just a stomach bug."

Spike fell into step beside her. No use arguing with her. Best just tag along and keep her safe.


They walked along in comfortable silence through the cemetery. Finally, the Slayer turned to her new companion vamp. "So, what happened with you and Giles? I heard you ranting earlier."

"Nothing to worry your pretty head about. Watcher and I just not seeing eye to eye on some things."

Spike was glad for the three vamps that stumbled upon them then. A welcome distraction. Buffy sprang into action, attacking the biggest first. Spike hung back to watch his girl in action.

He loved the way she moved, her body twisting and turning through the air. She was a warrior, fierce and feminine.

It wasn't until one of the vamps, wearing a surprisingly nice suit, had Buffy pinned to the side of a nearby crypt that Spike decided to intervene. He ran up behind them and staked the suit from behind.

His hands shot out and caught Buffy's waist before she tumbled to the ground. Their eyes locked. Spike relished the feel of her bare waist beneath his fingertips, where her blouse had been pushed up in the fight. He hadn't meant this to be sensual…he was just trying to help her—but it was too late. Now, what to do about it.

His eyes moved to her lips, just slightly parted. He remembered the last time he'd felt them, moving beneath his.

"I know I'm a monster, but you treat me like a man."

Some magnetic force pulled them closer…that had to be it, because they were both powerless to stop it. Their lips were only centimeters apart when her eyes went wide.

"Spike, look out!" Buffy screeched. She shoved him out of the way just in time as the two remaining vampire's came up from behind.

Buffy reached up and banged their skulls together. The vamps toppled to the ground.

"Slayer!" Spike tossed a stake to her. She caught it with practiced precision and plunged it quickly into each of the vamps.

She wrinkled her nose at the pile of dust that accumulated on her black boots. "Always when I wear new boots." She pouted.

Spike lit up a cigarette and took a deep drag. He fell into step beside Buffy. "So, how'd the job searching go today?" Spike asked. He wanted to ask about their almost kiss, but he knew she wasn't ready.

Buffy shrugged, "Not so good. Turns out I'm not cut out for construction work, school, or retail." Her face fell.

Spike reached out and squeezed her hand. It was impulsive, he knew it, but he couldn't control his body when she was near. "Luv, you're not a school girl…not a shop girl either. You're too good for that. You're the bloody Slayer, the Power's chosen warrior. Why are you worrying about a job anyway?"

To Spike's delight, Buffy threaded her fingers through his. "The bills won't pay themselves Spike. I may be the chosen one, but I'm also a human adult…and human adult's work for a living."

"I could help you."

Buffy stopped walking. Her eyes locked on those crystal blues. "I know you mean well, but I have to do this myself." She resumed her slow pace, pulling him along by the hand. "Besides, I can't take your gambling money…it's not kosher."

Spike yanked his hand back and clenched his jaw. "Right, you need money worse than the Whelp needs doughnuts…just not my money. S'not good enough for you. If it was Angel's money—" He was cut off by Buffy's fist colliding with his nose.

Her eyes were wide. Half of her couldn't believe what she'd just done and the other half was seething. "Where did that even come from?" Buffy said, "Don't drag him into this—that has nothing to do with…" Buffy took a deep breathe. "You know what, forget it. You're right, Spike. I don't need your help."

Buffy stomped off toward Revello Drive without a single glance back.


Even from the porch Buffy could smell something burning. She quickly stomped up the stairs and through the front door. The smell was coming from the kitchen.

"What's burning?" Buffy asked holding down the gag rising in her throat.

Dawn looked up from the table where she, Willow and Tara were playing cards. "Hi, Buffy. How was patrol? You and Spike run into any beasties?" Dawn gave her sister a teasing smirk.

"Did you burn something?" Buffy asked.

Dawn shrugged. "I made grilled cheese for lunch and one of them got a little charred, but that was hours ago."

"Huh." Buffy wrinkled her nose.

"Are you feeling better?" Willow asked noticing Buffy's disgusted face.

Buffy nodded. "Yeah, just a little bug…Giles isn't back yet?"

"He was working late at the Magic Box. He called about an hour ago." Said Tara.

Buffy remembered Spike's rambling about he and Giles having an argument. Had it been at the Magic Box? Whatever it was, it was important enough for Giles to still be working.

"Want to play?" Dawn asked eagerly.

Buffy wanted to say no, but her sisters face was so hopeful. She sighed and forced a smile. "Sure, what's the game?"

"Poker!" Dawn grinned. "Spike taught me."

"I'll bet he did." Buffy grumbled as she sat down with her family.


"Look, I'm going to head up to bed."

The Slayer said goodnight and headed up the stairs, eager to be far away from the smelly kitchen. One more round of Poker and she'd have been throwing up right there on top of the cards.

In her room, Buffy sat on her bed and glared at the window. Should she lock it? Did she really want to lock Spike out? Truthfully, she wasn't even mad at him. The punch had been a reaction to hearing Angel's name. Nothing at all to do with the fact that he hasn't called yet. He knows I'm alive…and he can't even manage a phone call.

It wasn't fair to take that out on Spike, but she wasn't going to apologize…the bleached menace was being a jerk. Besides, what were a few punches between mortal enemies.

Should she leave the window open? That way, if Spike came by, he would see he was still welcome. Would that look too much like an apology? Closed, but unlocked…that was her final decision.

"You look like you're thinking awful hard about something, Luv." Said the familiar British accent behind her. Spike was leaning in the doorway. His duster was already off, giving her a nice view of his lean body stretched out along the door frame. He didn't look at all smug. In fact, he seemed a bit unsure.

Buffy ignored him and climbed under the covers. "I didn't hear you come in."

Spike shrugged. "Wasn't sure I'd be welcome."

"Who let you in? Did they see you come up here?" Buffy panicked.

Spike chuckled and pushed off the door to walk into the room. "Relax Slayer, Bit let me in. She knows I sit with you at night. She won't tell anyone."

Buffy bolted up in bed, "Dawn knows? Since when?" She jabbed an accusing finger in his direction. "You told her, didn't you?"

Spike's eyes became angry slits, "What's the matter pet? Don't want them clued in to your dirty secret. I'm good enough to hold you while you sleep…so long as no one ever knows about it."

"Of course no one can know! Spike, they wouldn't understand. They are barely getting used to me being here…let's not send them into full on shock." Buffy flopped back against the pillows. "One surprise at a time."

"So, you do plan on telling them eventually?" Spike asked studying her face for an subtle reactions. Any clues.

Buffy shrugged. "There's nothing to tell. They don't need to know that you hang out with me at night. It's not like we are together or anything…I mean they know we're sort of friends."

Spike tilted his head and gave her a suggestive leer, "Is that what we are pet? Friends?" He hooked his thumbs through the belt loops of his black jeans and slunk toward the bed, "You always drag your friends up to your room and have your way with them before the big battles? That why Harris is so jealous of any man who comes near you?"

Buffy sat up again, her hands balled into tight fists. "I told you that night didn't mean what you seem to think it meant."

"Ah…but you said it meant something."

"That was before." Buffy said, her voice going hollow and her eyes far away.

Spike could tell he was losing her. He was close to getting some actual emotion out of her…but she was quickly retreating back behind her walls. Anger was at least a step in the right direction.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his back to the Slayer. "Buffy, I don't want to fight with you. Just want to know where I stand s'all. You're right, that night did mean a lot to me…because for that brief moment I had you. You're inside me Slayer. In my veins." Spike picked at the black polish on his nails. "Told you before, I crave you. It was torture you know? Getting to taste you…then, having you ripped away. Would have been one thing if I had you and the next day you told me to forget it—at least you would've been here, near, if untouchable."

"But to have you, taste you, love you…and then watch your body be put in the ground…." Spike trailed off, his voce threatening to crack under his heavy emotions. "I've experienced pain in my long life pet…but nothing will ever top that."

He felt her hand settle on his shoulder. "Spike…"

He shook off the pain, and straightened his back. "Apologies, Luv. Just my way of saying I'm glad to have you back." He turned to face her only to have her lips gently brush against his.

The kiss was soft, and not meant to go further than this…and it was new. This wasn't this kisses they'd shared under the spell. It wasn't the frantic kisses before the battle. Spike couldn't name it, but it was new and full of promise.

Too soon, the warmth of Buffy's lips was gone. The slayer crawled back under the covers, holding the corner up for Spike.

"It's not nothing…but I can't give you an answer yet. I need time."

Spike crawled in bed beside his Slayer and wrapped his arms around her. "I've got time, pet. Got a bloody lot of time."


Giles quietly slipped into his temporary home. Assuming everyone would be asleep at this hour, he slipped into the living room quietly. He was surprised to find Willow sitting in the armchair reading from a sociology text.

"Willow? What are you doing still awake?" Giles asked.

Willow set her book aside "Oh, just studying…why do you have that?" she said as she noticed the heavy spell book tucked under Giles' arm.

Giles sat on the couch. He set the book on the coffee table—between them. "Oddly enough, I caught Spike looking at it at the Magic Box. He seems to think Buffy's recent stomach virus may be a side effect of the spell that was used…"

Willow's voice came out harsh, "And you believe him? Giles, I know it was dangerous but I knew what I was doing—I know what I'm doing."

Giles sighed, and removed his glasses to rub his tired eyes. "I didn't see anything concerning. The spell seems straightforward enough. 'Dead cells reanimated. Life given back to decaying flesh. The dead shall rise in human form.' It doesn't seem to mention any side effects."

Willow smiled, satisfied with her work, even if Giles wasn't.

Then, Giles continued. "Although, it mentions the possibility of a price to be paid. Something in exchange for the new life."

Willow shrugged. "If there was some dire consequence in store for us, wouldn't we have noticed it by now?"

Giles replaced his glasses, "I suppose your right. Just the same, I'm going to keep looking into it."

Willow got up and gave him a curt nod. "Well, I won't get in your way then." With that the red witch stomped up the stairs, and when she reached the landing, she could've sworn she saw Buffy's door swing shut…